Shocked by mayoral candidate’s comment

I am a proud indigenous First Nations member. Wilfried Vicktor talked during the mayor debate about his opposition to a casino proposal on First Nations land several years ago when he was mayor.

As printed in The Hope Standard, he said “council was given an opportunity to revisit it because I brought it back. I did not do that to disrespect council. I did that because we had dealt with a First Nations band who refused to deal with us for over a year-and-a-half on another issue.” He went on to say “They show, they give us some cute little paddles and say it’s time to develop relations.”

I am shocked by the cute little paddles childish comment from a former mayor hoping to become the next mayor of Hope. He said he did not want to disrespect council, yet clearly speaks down to our people with such an insensitive and degrading comment. Paddles represent we are a people of the river which should be shown respect. It sounds to me like he holds a grudge because our people did not deal with him on another issue concerning the town. True leaders need to lead with a good heart, mind, body and spirit doing what is best for all people. Clearly for me that was not the case about what was said.